Rising Tide stands with Coal Workers
Extinction Rebellion Australia, 3 Dec 2025
In another epic Rising Tide protest at the Port of Newcastle, campaigners demanded federal government cancel planned fossil fuel projects and tax existing operations at 78%.
Over 8,000 people gathered at Rising Tide’s 2025 climate protestival at the world’s largest coal port. Ten coal ships were rescheduled and three turned around, marking this as the largest and most disruptive mobilisation Rising Tide has ever done. The blockade of the coal port began on Thursday 27 November and lasted for six days, drawing attention to the climate crisis and spreading the message about what people power can do. See Rising Tide climate activists stop ships from entering world’s largest coal port on The Guardian website.
Rising Tide points out that Norway taxes its oil exports at a cumulative 78%, funding a sovereign wealth fund worth over 2 trillion AUD.
In a social media post, Rising Tide says “Our coal industry must close - the climate requires that closure if we ever want a hope of a liveable planet. But that doesn't mean we throw workers on the scrapheap, the way @chrisminnsmp and @courtneyhoussos are planning.
“We need funding to build new industries and support workers through the transition, as our export partners stop buying our coal.
“Make the polluters pay. It's time to break free of the culture war puppet show that the corporations stole and sponsor to keep environmentalists and coal workers divided.”
Zack Tritton, mechanical fitter, works in underground coal mines in the Hunter.
In Rising Tide social media clips filmed as people crossed into Newcastle’s coal port channel to disrupt the coal export industry, Zac talked on the beach about bridging the gap between climate activists and workers - and standing up to corporate greed together.
Zack said: “We're fighting for a 78% tax on coal exports to fund new jobs and industries - to take advantage of the amazing skill base and industrial workforce we have in the Hunter in moving away from exporting climate pollution.”
Zack continued, "The writing is on the wall. The federal government’s modelling has suggested, based on other countries meeting their own targets that they’ve committed to, that coal exports could drop by 50% in the next five years.
“The Port of Newcastle - the CEO has said that it could be within 10 years. South Korea’s dropped out - it’s happening. So I think it’s in the interests of all coal workers to be here today.
“If we continue to be the puppets of this culture war, this rhetoric coming from corporations saying that coal’s not going anywhere and saying these climate protesters here today, are here to threaten your jobs and threaten your communities - we’re just gonna be helpless when the time comes.
Check the Rising Tide website for follow-up events in your area.
Plans for 2026 include an immersive nine-day training camp to share direct action skills, deepen connections and prepare to take stronger action for climate justice.